Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)

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Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) or cellulose gum is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups
(-CH*-COOH) boundto some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up
the cellulose backbone. It is often used as its sodium salt.

It is synthesized by the alkali-catalyzed reaction of cellulose with chloroacetic acid. The polar (organic
acid) carboxyl groups render the cellulose soluble and chemically reactive. The functional properties of
CMC depend on the degree of substitution of the cellulose structure (i.e., how many of the hydroxyl
groups have taken part in the substitution reaction), as well as the chain length of the cellulose backbone
structure and the degree of clustering of the carboxymethyl substituents.
 

In foods,Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is used in food science as a viscosity modifier or thickener, and to stabilize emulsions in various products including ice cream. As a food additive, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC has E number E**6. 

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is used extensively in gluten free and reduced fat food products.

 
In laundry detergents, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is used as a soil suspension polymer designed to deposit onto cotton and other cellulosic fabrics, creating a negatively charged barrier to soils in the wash solution.
 

In Pharmaceuticals,Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is also used in pharmaceuticals as a thickening agent.

In the oil-drilling industry as an ingredient of drilling mud, where it acts as a viscosity modifier and water retention agent. 

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is also a constituent of many non-food products, such as personal lubricants,toothpaste,laxatives,diet pills,water-based paints,detergents,textile sizing,and variour paper products.Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is used primarily because it has high viscosity, is nontoxic, and is generally considered to be hypoallergenic as the major source fiber is either softwood pulp or cotton linter.